Interview with Sony Raju
We had a quick chat with a topper- Sony Raju. Lets look at his interview:
Ranks he obtained:
AIIMS: 298
JIPMER:358
KEAM :497
NEET :2611
1) How tough is the entrance exams according to you?
Ans.I consider entrance exams to be tough especially because the number of seats available is very small as compared to number of candidates appearing annually.So the competition level is very high.As any other exam entrance exams also have questions of all difficulty levels.It is the difficult questions you answer that boost your score and rank and it is equally important not to miss any easy questions.
2) When did you start your entrance exam preparation? Do you think it was the correct time to start?
Ans. The dream of becoming a doctor began to flourish in my mind by the time I finished my 10th standard.Still then,with my family possessing no medicos I didn’t know how to proceed.It was around my 12th standard days that the dream became very firm in my mind.It was a bit late then.So I had to devote an year for entrance preparation.
3) Did you take coaching? If yes, where and how has it benefitted you. If no, mention why you chose so and how did you go forward.
(Mention the benefits and disadvantages you got with or without coaching)
Ans. Yes..I did entrance coaching at Brilliant Study Centre,Pala.It was very influential in making some changes in my approach.And the mock tests they conducted were very useful in analysing my progress
4) Do you think NCERT is important? Why?
Ans.As far as entrance exams are considered NCERT is considered as your Bible.However just NCERT wont gi ve you the desired result.So use NCERT as your basic to study concepts and then build on it using suitable reference texts.Remember NCERT must be learned first.
5) Which all books did you refer other than NCERT?
Ans. Physics:Mtg 28 years AIPMT,Dinesh Previous Years,Physics Today
Biology: Biology Today,Mtg 28 years AIPMT
Chemistry:Chemistry Today,Mtg 28 years AIPMT,Dinesh Previous Years
Any other books : Aim 4 AIIMS(For AIIMS Entrance)
6) Which subject do you think was tough for you? How did you manage it?
Ans.Physics was my tougher subject.I worked hard to make my basics correct and practised as many questions as I could and never ignored other subjects so that I could manage the deficit in Physics with other subjects.
7) How did you tackle the following subjects? Mention tips and tricks you used also.
Ans. Physics:-Trying to understand the concepts better and memorising equations mainly by linking different ones.
Chemistry:- In chemistry most students find difficulty in Inorganic chemistry.Making different codes and linking ideas can be useful.Everyone must be thorough with the periodic table for which codes can be used.Try to understand things rather than by-hearting
Biology:-Every diagrams in the NCERT Text are very important.Every terms are equally important.
GK and English:- I referred to some current affair topics after AIPMT exam.And I used to glance through newspapers daily.No special preparations for English.
8) The portion is vast. How did you manage to remember everything on the exam day? How did you revise?
Ans. There are not many shortcuts.Keep revising topics regularly.Try to link together different ideas.
9) Did you use mnemonics, stories, etc to remember stuff for exams? Can you mention a few which you used?
Ans. Yes,definitely.Mnemonics and stories are useful in aiding memory.They can be especially useful in learning periodic table,order of Tc,Pc,Vc etc in States of Matter….
10) Did you make a time table? If yes, can you explain how did you make it and whether you followed it. If no, why did you chose so?
Ans.Yes.A planned approach is needed in entrance preparations.Too much of planning may also backfire.So make your own time table considering your strength and weeknesses.Once you make a time table try your best to follow it.Finish topics within stipulated time and to find some extra time if you cannot stick to the plans.(I have often failed to follow my timetables.)
11) How important is to write mock exams?
Ans. Mock tests are really important is analysing our own progress.Training using previous year questions can help us understand questioners approach towards topics.
12) How important are study breaks? What do you do in your study breaks?
Ans. No one can concentrate on a thing more than a certain amount of time.Occasional breaks can be very handy.I used to take a walk,drink some water or watch TV etc during such breaks.But don’t do anything that can distract you.
13) Do you advise studying late at night? Should a student go sleepless in entrance exam preparation? What should be the ideal sleep time?
Ans.There is no such ideal sleep time.It must adjusted according to one’s fitness level and health.Don’t overstrain yourself.Don’t comprimise your sleep time to study,that might be counterproductive.Entrance preperations are something that spans over months or years.So,it is important to stay healthy.
14) What did you do on the following instances?
Ans. A month before the exams:-Revising topics giving preference to difficult topics.Attending mock tests conducted by my coaching institution without fault.
A week before the exams:-Doing as many previous year questions as possible.Revising the more difficult topics.
The day before the exams:-Don’t do anything fancy.Don’t lose your calm.Revise most difficult topics.Being a devotee my greater preference was to pray well.
The exam day:-Reach the exam hall well before time.Ensure that you carry all necessary things to exam hall before leaving home.Must have a clear idea of exam location.
15) Did you achieve success in your first attempt? If yes, how did you plan. If no, what was the reason behind it?
Ans. No I didn’t.As I mentioned earlier my approach was not right.Although I had a DREAM,I didn’t know how to proceed.But still I made somewhat a decent rank in my first attempt,which inspired me to repeat.
16) (only for repeaters) Why did you choose to repeat? How hard was the decision?
Ans. It was a tough one,but it was the decision of my life.I am happy that it turned out well.As I mentioned earlier, my first attemt inspired me for the second.
17) Mention the difficulties you faced during your entrance exam preparation. How did you overcome them? (Mention each one separately)
Ans. The most important question was what to study?My teachers and friend played a great role finding a solution.They advised me to learn NCERT,Lecture notes etc before anything else.Another issue was that of the huge competition I had to face during entrance coaching.I slowly realised that competition can produce the better of anyone.Another serious issue was tension and stress.I began to overcome it when I accepted competition.Next issue was to stay healthy.God’s bliss helped me.
18) Did you make any mistakes? What were they?
Ans. Mistakes are humane.It is important to correct it ones you understand it.Hurrying through questions,panicking half way through the exam was my usual mistakes(during mock tests).
19) How did you maintain your composure and mind during this hectic period of entrance exam preparation?
Ans. My parents’ support and God’s grace helped me.
20) What advice would you like to give to aspirants?
Ans. The only shortcut to success is hardwork.Don’t lose your calm and composure.Dream bigger and aim higher.
21) What motivated you to choose this profession?
Ans. Doctor’s is a divine profession.It gives you oppurtunity to help people around you.It also gives you a decent status in public.
22) What made you motivated to prepare for the entrance exams?
Ans.It was definitely my passion to become a doctor alongwith my parents’ support.
Thank you for taking part in the interview.
